Clauson nips Hagen in USAC/Badger Thriller

By Bryan Gapinski Sun Prairie,Wis., Aug. 30, 2009----Bryan Clauson regained the lead on the final lap to win the 9th annual 30-lap "Hall of Fame Midget Classic"" Sunday Night at Angell Park Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National and Badger Midget Car Series.
Jerry Coons Jr.paced the initial two circuits, before Clauson took the lead. With Clauson leading, positions in the top ten were changing every lap on the multi-groove track. Clauson's half-straightaway lead was erased on lap 10, when a car stalled. Clauson held a five-car length lead at the midway point over Darren Hagen and Coons.
Fast qualifier Brad Kuhn charged past two cars in the next two laps, moving into third place. Two more cautions in the next two laps kept the field bunched up. Clauson again held a slight advantage over Hagen and Kuhn. Clauson appeared headed for victory, when on the final lap the caution was displayed for a spun car, setting up a one lap shootout for the victory.
On the restart Hagen passed Clauson for the lead entering Turn 1. Hagen pulled to a three-car length advantage down the backstretch. With Hagen running the lower groove, Clauson used the high groove to maintain his momentum. Clauson drove off the final turn pulling even with Hagen. Clauson driving the Corey Tucker owned Spike/Ford-Esslinger No. 39 edged Hagen at the line by less than one-half car length for the victory. Kuhn, Mike Hess who started in 14th position, and Brad Sweet rounded out the top five.
Scott Hatton holds 110-point lead over Hess in Badger points heading into the Sept. 4 Stan Fox Memorial at Dodge County Fairgrounds (Beaver Dam,Wis.). The following day will be the co-sanctioned USAC/Badger 28th annual Fireman's Nationals presented by Pepsi at Angell Park. Kuhn's USAC point lead now stands at 34 markers over Hagen.